Commonwealth leaders convened in Samoa on the final day of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and announced Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey as the incoming Commonwealth Secretary-General. 

This pivotal decision marks another milestone for women in leadership as Botchwey steps into a role currently held by Patricia Scotland, the first woman to serve as Secretary-General since her election in 2016.

Scotland expressed her heartfelt congratulations to Botchwey through her official social media channels, stating, "It is my honor to pass the baton to my dear sister, Honorable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who will succeed me as the next Commonwealth Secretary-General. She will be uniquely blessed, as I have been, to hold this office and serve our precious Commonwealth."

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey currently serves as Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, responded with gratitude.

"I'm honoured and humbled by the trust of Commonwealth leaders," she stated. "A lot of work lies ahead. But together, we shall work for a New Commonwealth that works for all its citizens. The work indeed lies ahead."

The 61-year-old Ghanaian politician was first appointed as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in 2017. 

She previously represented the Anyaa-Sowutuom constituency in Parliament from 2013 to 2021. 

Botchwey has also held the position of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and served as a Minister of State in the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing under former President John Kufuor. She is affiliated with the New Patriotic Party.